'SNL' on CDC lifting mask mandate, a pandemic update, plus Golden Globes controversy and Liz Cheney

Saturday Night Live brings its viewers good news about the pandemic in No More Masks Cold Open.

Dr. Anthony Fauci (Kate McKinnon) presents different scenarios to demonstrate the new COVID-19 mask guidelines.

That was really silly and not one of SNL's stronger openings, although Kate McKinnon as Dr. Anthony Fauci made all the right points. Weekend Update: CDC Lifts Mask Mandate covered more ground and had better punchlines.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines proving effective against new variants of the virus.

There is some valuable pandemic news inspiring the jokes. In addition to lifting the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people, the good news is that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines provide protection against the more recent variants of the coronavirus. Contrary to the punchlines, Johnson and Johnson's vaccine is also effective against the variants. The bad news is that COVID-19 seems to cause erectile dysfunction, but at least Michael Che points out how this could be used to promote vaccination among men. I'm all in favor of making lemonade out of lemons.

Now for a clip that makes this a Sunday entertainment feature worthy of the designation, Weekend Update: Tom Cruise Returns Golden Globes & Ohio State Massage Therapist.

Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like Chicago releasing feral cats to control the city’s rat crisis.

Yeah, a Tom Cruise short joke. Still, this actually is big entertainment news, a protest over the lack of diversity in the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HPFA), which votes on the Golden Globes. As I keep writing about awards shows, electorates matter. It isn't just Tom Cruise; NBC is not broadcasting next year's event and Netflix and Amazon are not going to participate in any HFPA events. That's the kind of sponsor boycott that I expect will get results, although it will make next year's event anemic. I just hope it doesn't result in an outcome like removing elephants from Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey's Circus contributing to the circus shutting down.

Speaking of elephants, McKinnon returned in Weekend Update: Liz Cheney on the Republican Party.

Rep. Liz Cheney (Kate McKinnon) stops by Weekend Update to discuss her recent conflicts with the Republican Party.

McKinnon's caricature of Cheney pointed out what an uphill battle the real Cheney is facing. As I pointed out in the saga of Elise Stefanik replacing Cheney as conference chair, the GOP is sticking closer to Trump and his Big Lie than ever. I wish the real Cheney luck; she'll need it.